Inshallah: Inside stories from Qatar

In 2016 Kees Wieringa was made Director of the Al-Thani Museum in the desert state of Qatar where financial resources are as limitless as the influence of the sheikh. As he struggled to establish himself in that closed Qatari society, he became ever more entangled in the web of the capricious sheikh and his heirs. As a newcomer to that culture, the director soon became embroiled in intrigue, in the activities of arms dealers and art smugglers as well as in clashes of conscience. What had first seemed to be a perfect job opportunity rapidly spiralled into a disconcerting ordeal.
Inshallah tells the tale of an incredibly wealthy Gulf state that is set to host FIFA’s 2022 World Cup. It simultaneously unfolds a gripping narrative concerning a man subjected to a lonely ordeal in an expansive desert; an ordeal that ultimately leads to significant self-revelation.

About the author
Kees Wieringa studied classical music at Amsterdam’s Arts University. He then became a pianist and composer before moving into broadcasting. In more recent years, he has been appointed director of several cultural institutions and museums, both in the Netherlands and abroad.